PAPAN, PERAK: THE TOWN TIME FORGOT

Main street, Papan

PAPAN, PERAK: 

THE TOWN TIME FORGOT

A road trip up north in Malaysia turns up some of the most interesting historical sites. The little town of Papan in Perak, a decaying remnant from tin-mining boom of the late 18th and early 19th century, is one of them. Abandoned by most of its population after its mineral bust, it has the reputation of being one of Malaysia's most famous "ghost" towns. 

However, because of its historical significance and heritage value, a new life has been breathed into its moribund shell and overgrown walls. A dedicated group of volunteers (Papan Heritage Conservation Group headed by Jacky Chew) are working to relive Papan's memories, and the designation as a UNESCO Heritage Site is a possibility in the near future.

For Instagrammers, it is the perfect day out, just 16 km southwest from Ipoh. For others, it is a reminder of what we had and what we have lost. Why do we remember our past, and why do we celebrate our forebears? An hour or two (possibly more, if your transport gets stuck in the mud) will set us straight and a path of self-discovery.

Here are a sample of the many photos we took on our journey up memory lane (22 December 2024). 

The five-foot way in Papan blue.

Always let sleeping dogs lie.

Roots or modern art?

Greenery at Papan's back street. 

Somebody still lives here!

A new literal definition of street art.

A neophyte periwinkle growing from the wall,
symbolic of Papan's regeneration.

Papan new village museum.

Kitchen area of museum.

Papan's only bookstore and public library.

Istana Raja Billah,
the home of local aristocracy.

We'll be back.

AN EYE FOR BEAUTY: SINGAPORE THROUGH THE LENSES OF CAO YAPING / BOOK LAUNCH

 

AN EYE FOR BEAUTY:

SINGAPORE THROUGH

THE LENSES OF CAO YAPING 

BOOK LAUNCH 

Chui Huay Lim Club 

Sunday (2 June 2024) 

Chinese nationals in Singapore have recently gotten bad press for innumerable reasons like money laundering, espionage, loutish behaviour in public and the list goes on, but there have been stunning exceptions. I would like to cite my neighbour Cao Yaping, a Shanghai native living in Singapore since 2000, as a shining example of a Chinese immigrant who has done her home country and adopted nation proud. 

Honing her hobby in photography to perfection, and over 3000 photographs later, she has produced a lovely coffee table book as a tribute to her eventful stay in Singapore. The book launch of An Eye For Beauty: Singapore Through The Lenses of Cao Yaping was held on Sunday (2 June 2024) at the Chui Huay Lim Club, a Teochew clan society on Keng Lee Road. 

This was an elaborate cultural event graced by past and present members of parliament, community leaders and arts lovers, which included an ensemble of Chinese instrumentalists, lion dance troupe and Teochew opera singing. Yaping also made a grand appearance in a shawl dance involving vertigo-inducing swirling dervishes, the intensity of which would have made her viewers dizzy. Giant cheques were made to various Singapore charities, and there were speeches by luminaries which sang praises of her achievement and philanthropy. 

The accompanying photographic exhibition showcased dozens of her best photographs, which reveled in her overarching sense of composition and acute eye for detail. 

A book-signing and sumptuous buffet lunch completed the morning’s proceedings. We were honoured to be involved in the production of the book, having penned a short preface and assisted in the annotations. 

The book contains stunning photography of the sights of Singapore, including many most would have encountered or ignored in our busy lives. An Eye For Beauty: Singapore Through The Lenses of Cao Yaping may be purchased at $98, with 100% of sales proceeds going to charity. 

Here is the link to the sales page:

An Eye for Beauty: Singapore《从这里打开精彩的新加坡》Order Form (google.com)

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF TONGLI, CHINESE RIVER TOWN, 22 May 2014

The main gateway leading into old Tongli.

The ancient river town of Tongli is one of China's best marketed tourist attractions. Established centuries ago along the Grand Canal system of China, it maintains an antiquated air and lifestyle despite the hordes of tourists which descend on it. Situated fairly close to the city of Suzhou, it makes a splendid day trip just to see what China was like a hundred years ago.

Getting there was probably the most "difficult" part. One could part with a fair bit of money hiring a taxi to and from Suzhou, but the sensible way is by public bus from the Suzhou Southern Bus Station. Its an hour-long trip to a small terminus in a newer section of Tongli, and a short electric tram ride into the old city. Once one crosses the main bridge, its a pedestrian's paradise, and much of the fun is in wandering in its narrow streets, ambling along canals and popping into well-maintained residences and gardens. 

    

Tongli's most famous and most photographed foot bridge.

Another Chinese town that makes its claim
to be the "Venice of China".

This intersection of two canals provides
a great view of three bridges.
The birds on the boat are fishing cormorants.

View from a bridge:
one of my favourite panoramas in Tongli.

An opposing view of the same bridge, near the
entrance of Gengle Yuan (Happy Farming Garden).

Tongli is teeming with tourists,
but this is one of the quieter thoroughfares.

One of Tongli's most popular cafés.

Doorways and windows of Tongli.

Private life of China's river town Tongli.